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Today's Opinions

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" (1 Peter 3:13 NIV)

Do you remember the Cold War? The super power of the United States of America struggled relentlessly against the super power of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics that was perceived to be in pursuit of turning the entire world over to the rule of the Communist Party. The USA had its strong democratic, market economy allies during those decades and the USSR had its block of Communist countries leaning toward the doctrines of Marx and Lenin.

It was time for a field trip. Some days past, not that many, I set out over Number Four Bridge. It had been a couple days since the rains of recent weeks had passed and the onslaught of more rain was some time in the future. This was in the in-between time. The weather was nice, bordering on hot, and were it not for the midday breeze, it would have been tepid. It was perfect for a ride through the countryside and the woods.

Crossing Number Four Bridge, that's what this is about. Number Four Bridge means lots of things to many people. Crossing Number Four to most locals means going to the mainland, leaving the Cedar Keys. Reasons locals cross Number Four Bridge vary. Florida is on the other side. The Cedar Keys are here.

My last column mentioned my ordeal with renting an airplane in Hawaii but I did not go into much detail. Because the incident is so unbelievable I thought I would fill you in on more of the details.

On June 16, around 8:30 a.m., I rented an airplane, a Cessna 172 from one of the airplane rental agencies in Kona, Hawaii. They required a checkout ride which took less than an hour. Shortly afterwards I departed the Kona Airport with my wife and daughter for a tour around the big island.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:11-13 NIV)

Scallop season is now in full swing and reports from both the north and south of us sound good. Homasassa and Crystal River both reportedly are having a banner year with scallops plentiful in many popular areas. To the north reports of scallop limits in just an hour or two are common. With inshore fishing waning this time of the year, scalloping is a great alternative to fishing in Florida's July heat. I have never really understood why this area is so good for raising clams, but the main scallop run always seems to avoid us. I guess you can't have it all.